Large-scale earth system impacts


Changes across levels are all happening at the same time


Ecosystem structure: abundance & distribution of species & resources

Large-scale earth system impacts


Changes across levels are all happening at the same time


Ecosystem structure: abundance & distribution of species & resources


Ecosystem function: physical, chemical, & biological processes


Ecosystem services: processes & products that benefit humans

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects




Positive feedback loops= where response increases stimulus



Common and lead to amplification of climate change and biodiversity loss



Effects can be on structure and/or function



Despite the name, this is NOT a good thing

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects






Positive feedback loops= where response increases stimulus



Common and lead to amplification of climate change and biodiversity loss

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects






Positive feedback loops= where response increases stimulus



Common and lead to amplification of climate change and biodiversity loss

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects



Positive feedback loops: Abiotic and biotic feedbacks from deforestation






Deforestation releases carbon sequestered in trees contributing to global warming. In turn…

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects



Positive feedback loops: Abiotic and biotic feedbacks from deforestation

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects



Positive feedback loops: Abiotic and biotic feedbacks from deforestation



Habitat loss has direct negative effects like removing organisms but also has cascading effects by facilitating invasions, allowing increased access to hunters, changing fire regimes, etc…


…particularly true when habitat loss and fragmentation are combined

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects


Positive feedback loops: Abiotic and biotic feedbacks from deforestation

Feedbacks: when a process/system is modified by its own effects


Negative feedback loops: why we don’t talk about them much from a GCB perspective

Threshold effects


Positive feedbacks and cascading effects can lead to tipping points and ecosystem collapse


Which can be reversible, partially reversible, or irreversible

Threshold effects


Threshold effects can occur at many levels from…

Threshold effects


Restoration always involves addressing the prior threats

Resilience and restoration


Many factors contribute to resilience and potential for restoration (use Taking a Closer Look as a study guide)

Resilience and restoration


Different elements of vulnerability: The degree to which a species or system is susceptible to adverse effects of global change is a function of:


  • Exposure: Likelihood system will experience a given stressor
    • How big & quickly is the change occurring?
    • Are there lag effects?
    • Is the system exposed or buffered?


  • Sensitivity: Degree the system will be impacted by a given stressor
    • Is the system fragile or robust?
    • Are there highly specialized species or obligate interactions?


  • Response: Ability of a system to respond to a given stressor
    • Which core responses do species exhibit?
    • Can communities reorganize into a new stable state?

Connecting the dots: true interconnectedness




  • Our systems are out of balance
    • Earth systems
    • Our own body systems
    • Many of our socio-political-cultural systems





Premise that all systems are out of balance in shared ways


We extract and deplete without giving time and energy to the process of recharge and restoration

Connecting the dots: college classrooms



  • Higher education has long prioritized:
    • Content over context
    • Facts over wisdom
    • Competition over cooperation
    • Grades over reflection


The consequence is that the system runs on fear, lack, and depletion and can suck you dry


  • This class design fights this style, but it is not enough…
    • you are still pressured, stressed and running on empty

Earth’s systems are nested…and vulnerable


Ecological and evolutionary interconnectedness across all nested levels from cellular to planetary




Coordinated networked interdependent systems


Resulting from deep symbiosis + co-evolution

Open disccussion: Is there a solution for our disconnectedness?



What would an alternate model be for resilience and restoration?


How could we create a new system (on both visionary and practical levels) that prioritizes the values and approaches that we will need to create a more life-sustaining society?


How could models like these inform our work in other contexts?


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